Tap the Rockies - Preview

After a disappointing loss to AZ on Wednesday, the Friars arrive in Denver with an agenda at hand...reclaiming the NL West.

The Padres have six more games on the road (3 @ Col & 3 @ LA) until settling back at Petco with a healthy 10 game home stand, the last of the year. There is only one more off day this season, Monday the 10th. After that, it is 20 straight days to decide the fate for '07.

COLORADO SERIES - Projected Pitching matchups
Germano (7-8, 4.11) vs Dessens (2-2. 7.39)
Maddux (11-9, 3.75) vs Francis (15-6, 4.12)
Young (9-6, 2.63) vs Fogg (8-9, 5.01)

The Padres need to get to Dessens early as he was knocked around the park in his last start. In Dessens last start (last Saturday against the D-Backs) , he was sent to "shower time" before getting out of the second inning. Elmer (sweet name) gave up 7 runs in 1 1/3 innings in a losing effort.

Germano, on the other hand, needs to have a well pitched game to soften his lifetime #'s against the Rockies. Germano is 0-2 in 4 lifetime starts with a inflated 8.15 era. Germano's last outing was decent as he gave up 1 run against the Dodgers last Sunday in 6 innings, although we did end up losing 5-0. Justin has also not given up a long ball in his last six outings.

The Padres will be doing their share of "scoreboard watching" in the next few weeks as the race for the NL West is tight. As of now, it looks as if the NL West should send two teams to the playoffs, 1 as NL West Champs and the other by virtue of the Wild Card. The West is the best division in the National League and every game is crucial in the weeks to come.

Rockies are 5 games out of the division and 4 off the Wild Card. The Friars lead the Wild Card and are 1 game back from the West lead.

SCOREBOARD WATCHING - Tonights Games
Cardinals @ Diamondbacks - Wainwright vs Webb
Dodgers @ Giants - Billingsley vs Sanchez